Track suspension device

ABSTRACT

A device for suspending equipment such as a lighting fixture of public address speaker from a ceiling mounted track used to suspend a movable partition and including an extruded rail defining a channel having a longitudinal slot opening between flanges or ribs projecting inwardly from opposite walls of the rail. The device comprises a threaded stem capped by an enlarged head passes through the slot opening and is engaged by a lug which cooperates with the head to forcibly bear against or capture one or more of the flanges.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to track fasteners and more specifically totracks and slidable attachment brackets used to suspend equipment andstructures from ceilings, walls and other similar structural surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Arranging a site for spectacle, meeting or other gathering requires thetemporary installation of a large amount of equipment and otherstructures that must be suspended from ceilings, beams or other overheadelements or attached to walls in a very secured, but also quicklyadjustable manner. For example, lighting apparatuses for a stage, audioand video equipment, cabling, props and curtain walls for subdividing alarge meeting hall are often suspended from rails of tracks affixed toan overhead structure. Bolts passing through holes in the rail or trackand appropriate brackets are commonly used, but do not allow quick andeasy transversal adjustment of the position of the suspended items alongthe track. Adjustable track attachments of the prior art have beenmainly intended for attaching relatively light components such as lightfixtures and speakers, and can damage track surfaces, and nearbyceilings and ceiling trim.

The ceilings of meeting rooms in convention halls and hotels are oftencrisscrossed by tracks or rails from which movable room dividers orcurtain partitions are suspended. Typically, such a track comprises abackplate affixed to the ceiling and two side-walls projectingdownwardly from the backplate and terminated by flanges extendinginwardly toward each other and separated by a gap or passageway throughwhich suspension hardware is engaged into the internal channel definedby the track. It would be advantageous to meeting planners and eventorganizer to use the aforesaid tracks or rails for attaching temporarylighting or sound equipment.

The instant invention results from a search for a sturdy type ofadjustable track attachment that can be quickly and easily translatedalong a track while supporting heavy equipment, while avoiding damage tothe track and surrounding structures, and to take advantage of existingmobile partition and room divider ceiling tracks to install temporaryequipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal and secondary objects of this invention are to provide asimple and sturdy attachment device for suspending heavy structures froma ceiling or other undersurface and allowing quick and easy adjustmentof the position of the suspension device along an overhead track or railincluding those already mounted in the ceiling of a meeting room forholding movable partitions.

These and other objects of are achieved by affixing to the overheadstructure, a rail defining a channel into which projects two or moreflanges or ribs. The suspension member comprises a threaded stem passingbetween the flanges and being capped by a head. A slug screwablytranslatable along the stem can be manipulated to create forcefulcontact between the flanges, or the top portion of the rail or all ofthese elements in order to securely immobilize the stem by simplerotation of the stem itself or a fastener engaged over it. By providingforceful contact on the internal surfaces of the rail elements, damageto the outside surfaces and surrounding structures is avoided.

In some embodiments of the invention, the slug and head are oblong anddimensioned to pass through a bottom slot in the rail between theflanges in one orientation, then come into contact with the flanges whenthe rotated 90 degree once inside the rail channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a track suspension device according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a first alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the slug;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a second alternate embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of third alternate embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a device 1for suspending a partition 2 or other structures from a ceiling 3 orother undersurface. The device comprises an extruded, tubular rail 4having a substantially quadrangular cross-section defining a top wall orbackplate 5 which is fixedly secured to the ceiling 3, a pair ofopposite lateral walls or side-walls 6 projecting downwardly from thetop wall 5 and a bottom wall 7. A slot 8 runs axially along the fulllength of the bottom wall 7 and defines an opening having a given widthO. The remaining portions of the bottom wall astride the slot define apair of flanges 9 projecting in a common plane P-P′ inwardly toward eachother from the distal or bottom edges of the lateral walls, 6. Anadditional flange or rib 10 projects inwardly from a median section ofone of the lateral walls 6 and along a second plane Q-Q′ parallel to,and separated from the first plane P-P′ by a given distance S. The rail4 defines an internal channel 11 which is engaged by a suspension member12 passing through the slot 8.

The suspension member 12 comprises a threaded stem 13 of a givendiameter d. The upper end of the stem is capped by a head 14. The headcomprises a horizontal, oblong section 15 orthogonally and fixedlysecured about a median section to the top end of the stem, and aprojection 16 extending downwardly and orthogonally from one end of theoblong section 15 parallely to, and distally from the stem 13. Thelength of the projection 16 is substantially equal to the distance Sbetween the aforesaid planes. The width W of the head is no greater, andpreferably slightly lesser than the width O of the slot 8. The length ofthe oblong section 15 is substantially greater than the width O of theslot 8. The rib 10 does not project into the channel any further thanthe bottom flange 9 lying below it. Accordingly, the head can belongitudinally oriented in the same general direction of the slot 8 andengaged into the passageway defined by the flanges and rib in the medianportion of the channel, then rotated 90 degrees to bring one end of theoblong section 15 over the rib 10 and the bottom tip of the projection16 above one of the flanges 9. An oblong lug 17 having an externalprofile substantially symmetrical with the oblong section 15 of the headis engaged over the stem 13 through a non-threaded cental, axial bore 18whose diameter is slightly larger than the diameter d of the stem. Thelug can thus be easily longitudinally oriented and inserted through theslot 8 then transversally oriented in the same manner and position asthe head so that a marginal portion is brought immediately under the rib10. A tubular sleeve 20 preferably fixedly secured to the undersurfaceof the lug 17 coaxially with the bore 18 extends downwardly through theslot 18, and is supported by a washer 21 and nut 22 engaged over thestem from the bottom end thereof. The lug 17 and sleeve 20 can bescrewably translated along the stem 13, and tightened to press againstthe undersurface of the rib 10 by turning the nut 22, causing at thesame time the head to come in forceful contact against the upper surfaceof the rib 10. The pinching of the rib between the head and lug, and theforced resting of the extension 16 against one of the flanges 9immobilize and stabilize the position of the suspension member 12 withinthe rail by forcingly locking the lug 17 against one of the flanges andthe rib 10.

In a first alternate embodiment of the invention 23 illustrated in FIGS.3 and 4, the head 24 capping the stem 13 is circular and swivellyattached to it. A lug 25 substantially similar in shape and dimension tothe lug 17 used in the first embodiment, has a threaded central bore 26which is mated to the stem. Again, the overall length L of the lug issubstantially greater than the width O of the bottom slot, and its widthW is slightly lesser. In other words, the width of the lug iscommensurate with the passageway defined between the flanges and rib,and its length is no greater than the width of the internal channel 11defined by the rail. A diametrical bore 27 in a bottom section of thethreaded stem 13 is dimensioned to accept the tip of a screwdriver orother similar tool that can be used to rotate the stem in order toforcefully bring the top of the head 24 against the backplate or topwall 5 of the rail while the lug 25 is forced downwardly against the rib10 and the opposite flange 9.

In a second alternate embodiment 28 of the invention illustrated in FIG.5, the head 24 capping the threaded stem 13 is similar to the oneillustrated in FIG. 3. The lug 29 has a similar central bore 26, butdoes not have a downward projection. Accordingly, both longitudinal ends30 of the lug can be brought into contact with the upper surfaces of theflanges 9. The central rib 10 of the previously described embodiments isnot used and no longer necessary. The bottom surface 31 of the lug islined with a resiliently compressible material such as neoprene or nylonin order to increase friction with the flanges.

The third alternate embodiment 32 of the invention illustrated in FIG.6, is essentially similar to the second alternate embodiment 28 of FIG.5, with the addition of a sleeve 33 and nut fastener 34 engaged over thestem under the lug. After the suspension bracket has been secured andimmobilized within the rail channel 11 tightening of the nut 34 on thestem 13 provides a positive locking of the suspension mechanism.

It should be understood that the overall shape of the rail, the shape ofthe lug, and the positions of the ribs and flanges can be modifiedwithout affecting the general operation of the disclosed mechanism. Forinstance, the lug 25 of FIG. 3 may have longitudinal ends of differentthicknesses as shown by the dotted line 35 in lieu of a downwardprojection.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described,modifications can be made and other embodiments may be devised withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A device, for releasably suspending a structure from an undersurface, which comprises: a rail including: a backplate secured againstsaid under surface; a pair of parallel sidewalls projecting downwardlyfrom said backplate and defining a channel therebetween; and a pair offlanges each projecting inwardly from one of said sidewalls into saidchannel; a slidable bracket engaged into said channel and including: athreaded stem of a given diameter; a head-capping one end of said stem;and a member engaged over, and screwably translatable along said stem;whereby said member can be forcedly locked against at least one of saidflanges to immobilize said stem.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein saidmember comprises a lug having a central, axial bore engaged over saidstem.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein: said flanges are shaped anddimensioned to leave a vertical passageway therebetween of a given widthgreater than said diameter; said lug has an oblong transversal profileof a length greater than said given width; whereby said lug can belongitudinally oriented to pass through said passageway, then rotated tocome in partial contact with at least one of said flanges and preventsaid bracket from escaping said channel.
 4. The device of claim 3,wherein said bore is threaded for engagement with said stem, wherebyrotation of said stem brings said head against said backplate and saidlug against said flange.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said flangesproject toward one another in a common plane from distal end portions ofsaid side walls.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein said flanges lie indifferent planes separated by a given axial distance, and said lug hasopposite bearing undersurfaces lying in different planes separated bysaid given distance.
 7. The device of claim 3, wherein said bore isdimensioned to allow non-rotational, axial translation of said lug alongsaid stem; and said member further includes a nut dimensioned toscrewably engage over said stem and move said lug toward said head;whereby one of said flanges can be forceably pinched between said headand said lug by rotation of said nut.
 8. The device of claim 7, whereinsaid member further comprises a sleeve slidingly engaged over said stembetween said lug and said nut.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein saidflanges lie in different planes separated by a given distance; and saidhead comprises an extension projecting parallelly to and distally fromsaid stem to a length substantially equal to said distance; whereby whena flange closest to said backplate is captured between the head and thelug, said extension bears against the other flange.
 10. The device ofclaim 3, wherein said head is swivelly secured to said one end of thestem.
 11. The device of claim 4, wherein said lug further comprises aresiliently compressible layer lining bearing surfaces contacting saidflanges.
 12. The device of claim 4, wherein said stem has a radial borein a distal section thereof.
 13. The device of claim 3, wherein saidflanges run continuously within said channel.
 14. The device of claim 3,wherein said transversal profile has a width smaller than the givenwidth of said passageway.
 15. A device for releasably suspending astructure from an undersurface which comprises: an extruded, tubularrail having a substantially quadrangular cross-section defining a topwall, a bottom wall, and opposite first and second lateral walls, a slotrunning axially in a median section of said bottom wall, said slothaving a given width, and a rib projecting internally and inwardly fromone of said lateral walls at a given distance from said bottom wall; abracket including: a threaded stem of a given diameter; a head securedto a top end of said stem; an oblong lug having a bore in a mediansection, engaged by said stem; said lug having a width lesser than saidgiven width and a length greater than said given width; and means foradjustably translating said lug along said stem.
 16. The device of claim15, wherein said means for translating comprises said bore beingthreaded to mate with said stem.
 17. The device of claim 15, whereinsaid means for translating comprises a nut engaged over said stem from abottom end thereof.
 18. The device of claim 16, wherein said lug has adownward projection extending said given distance from a bottom surfacesection of said lug.
 19. The device of claim 17, wherein said head has adownward projection extending said given distance from a bottom surfacesection of said head.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein said head isshaped and dimensioned to rest said projection on said bottom when saidhead rests against said rib.
 21. In a movable room divider installation,wherein partitions are suspended from a ceiling-mounted track having abackplate affixed to the ceiling, two vertical side-walls spaced apartby a given distance and at least two flanges projecting horizontally andinwardly from said side-walls and defining therebetween a passageway forsuspension hardware, an improvement for attaching equipment to saidtrack comprising: a threaded stem; a lug having a width commensuratewith said passageway, a length no greater than said distance and acentral bore engaged by said stem; and means for forcingly locking saidlug against said flanges.
 22. The improvement of claim 21 wherein saidmeans for locking comprise: a head shaped and dimensioned to pass troughsaid passageway and capping said stem; and said bore having internalthreads mating with said stem.
 23. The improvement of claim 21 whereinsaid means for locking comprise: a head capping said stem and having awidth slightly lesser than said passageway and a length slightly lesserthan said distance; and a nut engaged over said stem and positionedunder said lug.
 24. The improvement of claim 21 wherein each of two ofsaid flanges project from said side-walls at different distances fromsaid backplate; and said lug has longitudinal ends of differentthicknesses.